Second year pruning:is the same as the first year; cut back new growth by half in spring and late summer. For some vigorous varieties, pruning three times may be the easiest way to manage the tree: spring, early summer and
Third year:choose a height and don't let the tree get any taller. Tree height is the decision of the pruner.When there are vigorous shoots above the chosen height, cut back or remove them. In late spring/early summer, pinch back all new growth. Size control and development of low fruiting wood begins now. Repeat in late summer/early fall.
Thin to an open center beginning in the second season.
Prune single tree plantings to vase shape.
Multi-plantings need plenty of sunlight into the interior of the group, so thin out the center.
Remove broken limbs.
Remove diseased limbs well below signs of disease.
The smaller one, two, and three-year old branches that bear the fruit should have at least six inches of free space all around. This means that where two branches begin close together and grow in the same direction, one should be removed. When limbs cross one another, one or both should be cut back or removed.
When removing large limbs, first saw part way through the limb on the under side ahead of your intended cut. Do this so it won’t tear the trunk as it comes off. Also, don't make the cut flush with the trunk or parent limb - be sure to leave a collar (a short stub).
To develop an espalier, fan, or other two-dimensional form, simply remove everything that doesn't grow flat. Selectively thin and train what's left to space the fruiting wood.
Don't let the pruning decisions inhibit you or slow you down. There are always multiple acceptable decisions - no two
people would prune a tree exactly the same. You learn to prune by pruning!
Backyard Orchard Culture begins with Summer Pruning!
• Smaller trees are easier to spray, prune, thin, net, and harvest! And, with small trees, it's possible to have more varieties that ripen at different times. The easiest way to keep trees small is by summer pruning. There are lots of styles, methods, and techniques of summer pruning; most of them are valid. The important thing is to prune!
Backyard Orchard Culture means Knowing Your Nursery Professsional
• The concepts and techniques of Backyard Orchard Culture are learned and implemented year by year. An integral part of Backyard Orchard Culture is knowing your nursery professionals and consulting them when you have questions.
Backyard Orchard Culture means The Pride of Accomplishment
• There is a definite sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, a special pleasure in growing your own fruit, in growing new varieties of fruit, in producing fruit that is unusually sweet and tasty, in having fruit over a long season, and in sharing tree-ripe fruit with others. These are the rewards of learning and experimenting with new cultural practices and techniques, the rewards of becoming an accomplished backyard fruit grower.
- ULTIMUS DICTUM -
There's no excuse for neglected trees, maintenance undone, or lack of know-how. Backyard Orchard Culture is an attitude: "just do it!"
A special THANKS! to our friends at Dave Wilson Nursery for making this article available to our visitors!
